Heroes to the rescue; Local group brings superheroes, support to children in need

SPECIAL TO THE MORNING JOURNAL
Brian Chulik portrays Batman, Spider-man is played by Jimmy Myers and Scott Smith is clad in a Superman cape, all for the benefit of bringing a little happiness and excitement to the life of young patients in the children's section at the Cleveland Clinic.

SPECIAL TO THE MORNING JOURNAL
Members of the Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio don their magical outfits that bring happiness to the children they visit at area hospitals.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE -- It all began in August 2010, when Brian Chulik, an eighth-grade teacher, was recovering from surgery at the Cleveland Clinic after a ruptured appendix.

"I was able to see some of the children hospitalized with serious illnesses," Chulik said.

That was when Chulik, of North Ridgeville, had an idea to bring smiles to the faces of children in their hospital beds.

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"My friends, Scott Smith and Jimmy Myers, were generous enough to return with me to the hospital in superheroes costumes, to put some smiles on the kids recovering there," said Chulik, who donned his Batman garb.

"We have been fortunate enough to receive gift donations for the children from people who want nothing more than to help brighten someone's day. Our group is called 'Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio,'" Chulik said.

"Our group started visitations at the Cleveland Clinic ... (it) has continued to grow through the selflessness of people who want to contribute to the well-being of kids battling illnesses and overcoming obstacles. We continue to make costumed visits to children's hospitals, special needs centers, and various charitable events whenever we are needed in an attempt to bring a few smiles to kids. We are thankful that this organization has continued to gain new members who give of their time, energy and compassion," Chulik said.

On Oct. 4 at a special awards ceremony that took place at the Spitzer Center, Lorain County Community College, Chulik's group of costumed characters were given special recognition for their efforts from the Lorain County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

It was a recent incident involving a Youngstown boy that catapulted Chulik's group into the spotlight.

The family of 4-year-old Jayden Barber, of Youngstown, was doing everything in their power to fulfill their son's final wishes after they were recently told he only had months to live. His wish was to meet Batman.

After 11 surgeries and numerous rounds of chemotherapy to treat the cancer found in his right arm, Jayden was in remission. It was during November of last year when Jayden's mother, Charlene Barber, received the call that her son was diagnosed again, this time, with a rare form of the disease known as MSD leukemia.

Doctors said the type of leukemia Jayden suffers from is rare, commonly found in elderly adults, and could soon claim his life.

Jayden said he was the world's biggest Batman fan. Through the help of Chulik and his superhero friends, Jayden was told he would light the "bat-signal" before a special crowd gathered at Boardman Stadium in Youngstown.

Although actor Christian Bale who plays Batman in the movie, was unable to show up for the lighting ceremony, Bale later sent for Jayden and his family to visit Hollywood and Disneyland, all expenses paid.

"It was an amazing display of community and support for this young man and his family," Chulik said about Jayden.

"With the cooperation of many people from the Youngstown community, we were able to put it all together for Jayden and his family. It then kept snowballing. He is now in remission and he got his wish granted as Christian Bale found out and spent the day with Jayden and his family in Disneyland, picking up the tab for everything," Chulik said.

An estimated 29,000 members joined the Facebook page 'Lighting the Batsignal for Jayden' in the process.

Hector Cirillo, of Avon, portrays the character Wolverine in "Super Heroes to Kids in Ohio," said the group of local superheroes formed around the love of comic books as well as children.

It was Chulik's hospital stay that got him thinking, 'What can I do to bring a smile to these kids' faces?' "Since he is a comic book buff, he talked to his buddy, Jimmy Myers, about dressing up as superheroes," Cirillo said, adding that when the video of Bale and Jayden hit the Internet, it "went viral."

"Then, the American Red Cross found out about us," Cirillo said.

Chulik quotes Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, when the subject of heroes comes up in conversation.

"A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulder to let him know that the world hadn't ended." Bruce Wayne in "The Dark Knight Rises."